The Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi, has announced that a special electronic court will be established to try cases related to corrupt individuals in the state.
He made the disclosure on Thursday while hosting the state Anti-Corruption Commission at High Court 1 in Katsina.
The Chairman of the Commission, retired Justice Lawal Garba, led other members of the anti graft agency on a familiarisation visit to the Chief Judge for judicial advice, among others.
According to Danladi, in order to stem the tide of corruption in Katsina State, a special court will be designated for the trial of such offenders.
He said, “We are going into a serious collaboration with you since the commission is a baby one. You need a lot of enlightenment. Follow due process and do not look at anybody but Katsina State. Whatever comes, treat it the way they are.”
“Now is the technology age. You are lucky you are beginning. I want you to base all your operations on ICT. Evidence is our biggest problem before many cases went unpunished due to lack of evidence, but at this computer age, base your operations on the computers. We are also going electronic because we are setting up an electronic evidence presentation system.”
From arrest, interrogation, and collection of evidence.
“Corruption is a chain if you don’t separate it. There are some businessmen who are ready to support corrupt government officials. They are all guilty. You should get them. Do not go after civil servants alone. Get contractors who are found wanton. Don’t allow anybody to go scot-free.
“I will designate a special anti-corruption court. The court will not do anything other than to try corruption cases. The court will be equipped with an electronic evidence presentation system.
“You have my full support, and we are going to establish special magistrates’ courts in three senatorial districts of the State,” Justice Danladi assured his audience.
Earlier, the Commission’s Chairman, Justice Lawal, had stressed that the team was at Chief Judge’s office to intimate him on our operations and seek collaborations.
Lawal said, “By virtue of your office, you have the power to take over any criminal case, to continue any, or to drop anyone. So, that explains the need for us to familialise with your office and seek your advice accordingly.”
Arewa PUNCH reports that the administration of
Governor Dikko Umar Radda had, in late 2023, established the anti-graft commission to stem the tide of corruption in the state.
PUNCH
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